'M' hoops to play Fla. A&M

When the Michigan women's basketball team travels to the Ronald McDonald Classic this weekend, its game plan will be remarkably similar to one of the fast food chain's marketing schemes: go with the super-size.

So far this season, Michigan's superior post play has made opposing teams' lives very difficult. Paced by senior center Pollyanna Johns, Michigan (5-1) has made a habit of getting the ball down low, resulting in easy baskets for the bigger Wolverines.

Michigan hopes to continue such domination under the basket Saturday, when it meets Florida A&M (2-1) in the first round of the weekend tournament, hosted by Duke in Durham, N.C.

In the Wolverines' five games this season, they have outrebounded their opponents in every game but one. During those games, Johns or fellow frontline mate Tiffany Willard was the game's leading rebounder in every contest.

MALLORY S.E. FLOYD/Daily Slashing Michigan guard Anne Thorius and the rest of the Wolverines will play in their third tournament of the season tomorrow, meeting Florida A&M in the first round of the McDonald's Classic.

Michigan's strong post play has made an impression on Florida A&M coach Claudette Farmer, whose Rattlerettes boast considerable size of their own. With three players taller than 6-foot-2, Farmer believes her post players can contain Michigan.

"We know they're a very athletic team, and are especially strong in the post with Pollyanna," Farmer said. "But we feel we might be able to match up well with them."

In three games this season, Florida A&M's Teresa Jenkins, 6-6, is averaging 10 points and 8.3 rebounds. Six-foot-three senior Shantell Jackson and 6-2 freshman Tomekia Peterson also combine to give the four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions a very formidable frontline.

The backcourt may be a different story, however. No player on the Rattlerettes has more assists than turnovers, and the team does not have a single upperclassman at the guard position.

Michigan will probably look to exploit that weakness with the slashing guard play of Anne Thorius and Ann Lemire, both of whom are averaging more than three assists per game.

"The backcourt is definitely where we are weaker," Farmer said. "Michigan is more experienced and talented in that area."

Tournament play has been kind to the Wolverines, who have jumped out to a fast start this season. Michigan has played in three tournaments the last three weekends, capturing the championship at the Felpausch Tournament and the consolation championship at the Florida International Thanksgiving Tournament.

The McDonald's Classic should be the toughest of the lot for the Wolverines. Florida A&M has suffered only 22 losses in the last three seasons, making the Rattlerettes a tough first-round opponent.

Lurking in the other half of the bracket is No. 15 Duke, who faces a first-round matchup with Ohio University.

"There are some really good teams in this tournament, and it should be interesting to see how we respond," Farmer said.

12-05-97